North Carolina Metal Band Readies First New Studio Album in Three Years; Announces U.S. and European Headlining Tours! Formed in 2000, VALIENT THORR plays loud, fast heavy music -- influenced by both metal and punk -- that draws creatively from touchstones such as AC/DC, Thin Lizzy and the MC5 (Motörhead might also be a point of reference here, though more in spirit than in sound). The band has a stranglehold on amped-up hard rock and stripped-down heavy metal, barnstorming stages across the world with its catchy, ass-kicking riffs, unmatched energy, fist-pumping anthems and hyperagitated live show, led by the band's front man and ringleader Valient Himself, whose highly entertaining, heady lyrics become a call to arms for the band's legions of devoted fans -- nicknamed the 'Thorriors'-- that assemble in chapters and track the band from show to show, town to town. 'Our Own Masters' is a triumphant display of crescendo-ing riffs, rousing vocals and canyon-wide grooves and a record set to remind the world why VALIENT THORR's high voltage concoction of rock, metal and punk and formidable reputation proceeds them for a reason. The record's wild, extraterrestrial cover artwork (shown above) is taken from a 1975 painting by John Aylward, father of VALIENT THORR drummer Jason Aylward.